Oral formulation of Wnt inhibitor complex reduces inflammation and fibrosis in intraperitoneal implants in vivo.

The use of implantable biomaterials to replace physiological and anatomical functions has been widely investigated in the clinic. However, the selection of biomaterials is crucial for long-term function, and the implantation of certain biomaterials can cause inflammatory and fibrotic processes, triggering a foreign body reaction that leads to loss of function and consequent need for removal. Specifically, the Wnt signaling pathway controls the healing process of the human body, and its dysregulation can result in inflammation and fibrosis, such as in peritoneal fibrosis. Here, we assessed the effects of daily oral administration of a Wnt pathway inhibitor complex (CD:LGK974) to reduce the inflammatory, fibrotic, and angiogenic processes caused by intraperitoneal implants. CD:LGK974 significantly reduced the infiltration of immune cells and release of inflammatory cytokines in the implant region compared to the control groups. Furthermore, CD:LGK974 inhibited collagen deposition and reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic α-SMA and TGF-ß1, confirming fibrosis reduction. Finally, the CD:LGK974 complex decreased VEGF levels and both the number and area of blood vessels formed, suggesting decreased angiogenesis. This work introduces a potential new application of the Wnt inhibitor complex to reduce peritoneal fibrosis and the rejection of implants at the intraperitoneal site, possibly allowing for longer-term functionality of existing clinical biomaterials.

Concurrent development of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis and calciphylaxis in a patient with peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease.

Both encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) and calciphylaxis are rare but severe complications involving patients with end-stage renal disease. In this report, we discuss a unique case of a 73-year-old female patient who had undergone 8 years of peritoneal dialysis for IgA nephropathy and concurrently developed these two synchronous complications within 3 months of each other. Diagnosis and management of both conditions were discussed in detail as well as the possible association between the two. With surgical treatment for EPS and measures to minimise bone mineral disorder abnormalities, both complications have been successfully managed to date.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis caused by cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare condition in which the small intestine is covered by an inflammatory fibrocollagenous membrane; the exact etiology of EPS is unclear. Herein, we report the case of our patient who underwent hemodialysis and cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) and was diagnosed with EPS. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old Japanese man visited our emergency department with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. He had a medical history of cirrhosis due to hepatitis C for 25 years. He had undergone partial resection of the small intestine 2 years earlier for an incarcerated hernia. One year earlier, he experienced renal failure due to hepatorenal syndrome and started hemodialysis three times a week and CART twice a month. Physical examination of the abdominal wall revealed a lack of peristalsis of the intestinal tract and strong tenderness on palpation. Because hernia of the small intestine was found on computed tomography, we suspected strangulation ileus, requiring emergency operation. When the abdomen was opened, the entire small intestine was found to be wrapped in a fibrous membrane and constricted by it. The patient was diagnosed with EPS; hence, during surgery, the fibrous membrane was excised, resulting in decompression of the intestinal tract and subsequent recovery. CONCLUSIONS: EPS is thought to be related to various elements, but no case of EPS induced by CART has been reported to date. EPS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in patients undergoing CART for refractory ascites.

Esclerosis peritoneal encapsulante en paciente en diálisis peritoneal domiciliaria / Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in a patient on home peritoneal dialysis

La esclerosis peritoneal encapsulante es una complicación poco común, pero muy grave, de la diálisis peritoneal. Esta complicación está asociada con altas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad. El diagnóstico clínico requiere la presencia de obstrucción intestinal o función gastrointestinal alterada con signos patológicos y radiológicos de encapsulamiento intestinal. El diagnóstico patognomónico es solo con la realización de una biopsia peritoneal. El mecanismo patogénico exacto de esta entidad sigue siendo desconocido, aunque se asocia firmemente con el tiempo de duración del paciente en el tratamiento con diálisis peritoneal. Se presenta un caso clínico de esclerosis peritoneal encapsulante y se analizan las manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico, tratamiento, pronóstico y prevención(AU)

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a rare but very serious complication of peritoneal dialysis. This complication is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Clinical diagnosis is based on the presence of intestinal obstruction or altered gastrointestinal function with pathological and radiological signs of intestinal encapsulation. The pathognomonic diagnosis is achieved only by performing peritoneal biopsy. The exact pathogenic mechanism of this entity remains unknown, although it is strongly associated with the duration of the patient with peritoneal dialysis. We report a clinical case of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis and the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention are analyzed(AU)

Abdominal cocoon syndrome: A rare cause of acute abdomen syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A rare cause of acute abdomen or intestinal obstruction, the abdominal cocoon syndrome is also described in the literature as sclerosing peritonitis or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis. Abdominal cocoon is characterized by the total or partial wrapping of the abdominal organs by a fibrous membrane. Although it is usually observed in young women, the etiology is unknown. The diagnosis is usually made during laparotomy. In this case series, we aimed to present seven patients diagnosed with abdominal cocoon syndrome during operation. METHODS: The records of patients who underwent laparotomy for abdominal pain and/or intestinal obstruction in our hospital and diagnosed as abdominal cocoon during operation between January 2012 and November 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic characteristics of the patients, etiologic factors, surgical procedures, operative findings and follow-up of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: Four out of seven patients who were operated for abdominal cocoon were male and 3 of them were female. The median age of patients was 61 (57-63) years in male and 39.6 (28-49) years in female. Six of the patients were operated in emergency conditions with the diagnosis of an acute abdomen or ileus. One of the patients was operated with the diagnosis of an intra-abdominal mass in elective conditions. In five out of seven patients, all of the small intestines were wrapped with a fibrous collagen capsule, while two of the patient intestines were partially wrapped with a fibrous collagen capsule. Four of the patients had no underlying disease, while one of the patients had Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), one had Endometriosis and one had beta-blocker medication. One patient who had small bowel necrosis and septic peritonitis were observed during the operation and died post operative 6th days. Postoperative complications were not observed in the follow-up of other patients and reoperation was not required due to recurrence. CONCLUSION: Abdominal cocoon is a condition that is usually diagnosed during operation in patients that were operated for reasons, such as the acute abdomen or intestinal obstruction. When the diagnose delayed, death can be seen due to small bowel necrosis and septic complications. High clinical suspicion and radiological imaging are important in the preoperative diagnosis. Treatment is required adhesiolysis and excision of the fibrous membranes.

Evaluation of Candida peritonitis with underlying peritoneal fibrosis and efficacy of micafungin in murine models of intra-abdominal candidiasis.

Candida peritonitis is a crucial disease, however the optimal antifungal therapy regimen has not been clearly defined. Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) can be caused by abdominal surgery, intra-abdominal infection, and malignant diseases, and is also widely recognized as a crucial complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis. However, the influence of PF on Candida peritonitis prognosis remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the severity of Candida peritonitis within the context of PF and the efficacy of micafungin using mice. A PF mouse model was generated by intraperitoneally administering chlorhexidine gluconate. Candida peritonitis, induced by intraperitoneal inoculation of Candida albicans, was treated with a 7-day consecutive subcutaneous administration of micafungin. Candida infection caused a higher mortality rate in the PF mice compared with the control mice on day 7. Proliferative Candida invasion into the peritoneum and intra-abdominal organs was confirmed pathologically only in the PF mice. However, all mice in both groups treated with micafungin survived until day 20. Micafungin treatment tends to suppress inflammatory cytokines in the plasma 12 h after infection in both groups. Our results suggest that PF enhances early mortality in Candida peritonitis. Prompt initiation and sufficient doses of micafungin had good efficacy for Candida peritonitis, irrespective of the underlying PF.

Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Abdominal Cocoon: Series of 15 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal cocoon (AC) or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Surgical intervention is warranted in patients with persistent pain or intestinal obstruction. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of patients operated for AC was performed. Clinical presentation, radiological data, postoperative outcomes (Ryles tube (RT) removal, duration of hospital stay, enterocutaneous fistula, requirement for re-exploration and mortality) were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients of abdominal cocoon required surgical intervention for various indications. The mean age was 34.46 years (13-60), and 11 (73.3%) were males. Intermittent abdominal pain was present in 14 (93.3%) followed by recurrent subacute intestinal obstruction (SAIO) in 11 (73.3%). Three patients presented with intestinal perforation. Of the 14 patients with preoperative computed tomography, radiological diagnosis was possible in five patients. The mean duration for surgery was 159 min (60-360 min). Membrane encasement was complete in 9/15 and partial in 6/15 patients. Adhesiolysis was done in all patients (complete-10/15 and partial-5/15). Mean duration for RT removal and hospital stay was 4.3 and 12.3 days, respectively. Recurrence of SAIO was observed in three patients, and one patient needed re-exploration for the same. One patient developed postoperative enterocutaneous fistula requiring surgical intervention. Overall mortality in the study was 13.3% (2/15). Four patients had underlying tuberculosis, and the rest were idiopathic. CONCLUSION: Etiology of AC is not known in majority of patients. Persistent pain and recurrent SAIO are the most common indications for surgery. This morbidity associated with surgery can be reduced by meticulous dissection techniques and appropriate peri-operative care.

MicroRNA-302c modulates peritoneal dialysis-associated fibrosis by targeting connective tissue growth factor.

Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) can lead to the induction of mesothelial/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT/EMT) and fibrosis; these effects eventually result in ultrafiltration failure and the discontinuation of PD. MicroRNA-302c (miR-302c) is believed to be involved in regulating tumour cell growth and metastasis by suppressing MMT, but the effect of miR-302c on MMT in the context of PD is unknown. MiR-302c levels were measured in mesothelial cells isolated from the PD effluents of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. After miR-302c overexpression using lentivirus, human peritoneal mesothelial cell line (HMrSV5) and PD mouse peritoneum were treated with TGF-ß1 or high glucose peritoneal dialysate respectively. MiR-302c expression level and MMT-related factors alteration were observed. In addition, fibrosis of PD mouse peritoneum was alleviated by miR-302c overexpression. Furthermore, the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was negatively related by miR-302c, and LV-miR-302c reversed the up-regulation of CTGF induced by TGF-ß1. These data suggest that there is a novel TGF-ß1/miR-302c/CTGF pathway that plays a significant role in the process of MMT and fibrosis during PD. MiR-302c might be a potential biomarker for peritoneal fibrosis and a novel therapeutic target for protection against peritoneal fibrosis in PD patients.

Surgical Treatment for Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis: 24 Years' Experience.

BACKGROUND: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis. The mortality rate for EPS is high, primarily due to complications related to bowel obstruction. Surgery was previously contraindicated; however, surgical enterolysis is performed for patients in whom bowel obstruction fails to improve. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of patients with EPS who received surgical intervention at a single center between November 1993 and October 2017. The severity of intestine damage was characterized by grade-3 peritoneal calcification on abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and degeneration of the small intestinal wall in surgery. RESULTS: Two-hundred and forty-three patients with EPS opted for surgery. Among them, 58 had recurrence and required re-surgery; a total of 318 EPS surgeries were performed. Death was related to EPS in 61 patients (25.1%), of whom 15 died postoperatively. Sixty-seven patients (27.6%) died from other causes. The actuarial survival rates at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years after EPS diagnosis were 91%, 83%, 77%, 66%, and 53% respectively. The 50% actuarial survival points after EPS diagnosis and surgery were 104 months and 85 months, respectively. Peritoneal calcification and small intestinal wall degeneration grading showed significant association with the mortality curve for EPS-related death. CONCLUSION: Excellent outcomes for EPS are achieved with surgery. The degree of peritoneal deterioration affected the clinical outcomes. Currently, EPS is no longer recognized as a fatal complication.

Encapsulating sclerosing peritonitis : two rare observations and literature review.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare and little known pathological entity. It is a chronic fibro-inflammatory disease of the peritoneum, resulting in the formation of a thick fibrous membrane, which engages partially or totally the abdominal organs. Clinical and radiological signs make the diagnosis difficult to establish preoperatively. We present two original observations of SEP illustrating different clinical presentations, diagnostic and therapeutic means. His diagnosis requires a peritoneal biopsy. The treatment is not completely established. Surgical treatment is difficult, involving viscerolysis and multiple incisions of the fibrous membrane. Despite the current progress in therapeutic management, the prognosis remains pejorative, with significant mortality.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis with steroid-resistant massive ascites successfully treated by peritoneal lavage.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is the most serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). EPS is diagnosed by clinical symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia.) and image study (intestinal expansion, peritoneal thickening and calcification, and ascites.). Steroid therapy and surgery are recommended as the treatment of EPS. Here, we report a case of EPS with steroid-resistant massive ascites successfully treated with peritoneal lavage. A 59-year-old female with end-stage kidney disease secondary to hypertension was started on PD in 2003. Due to recurrent exit-site infection and two episodes of peritonitis, she was transferred to hemodialysis (HD), and her PD catheter was removed in 2011. In February 2012, six months after discontinuation of PD, she was found to have massive ascites on abdominal computerized tomography (CT). The patient was diagnosed to have EPS and was started on prednisolone. Despite eight months of prednisolone therapy, the ascites did not decrease. Therefore, the PD catheter was inserted again, and she was started on daily peritoneal lavage from September 2012. After four months of daily peritoneal lavage, her ascites disappeared in January 2013. The PD catheter was removed in July 2013. Steroid treatment was completed in May 2014, and there has been no recurrence of ascites since then. The evaluation of ascites by abdominal CT is important in a patient on long-term PD. Since EPS may appear any time after the discontinuation of PD, it is important to start screening abdominal CT shortly after the discontinuation of PD. Steroid-resistant massive ascites can be successfully treated with peritoneal lavage.

Sclerosing encapsulated peritonitis: typical imaging findings for easy diagnosis.

Sclerosing encapsulated peritonitis (SEP) is a rare disease characterized by intestinal encasement within a fibrocollagenous membrane. Diagnosis of SEP may be challenging due to a lack of specific symptoms. Demonstration of clustered intestinal segments surrounded by a membranous sac by various imaging modalities is crucial to reveal the presence of SEP. Radiologic examinations play an important role in the management of the disease. This case is not unusual. Our intention is to emphasize the role of the imaging findings of a patient with primary SEP that presented with recurrent intestinal obstruction. SIMILAR CASES PUBLISHED: 118.